John Edward Oliver Jr

Dr. John Edward Oliver, Jr., 75, passed away on Friday, May 10, 2019, after a long illness.

Date and Time of Memorial Service are pending.

John was born in Thomasville, Georgia, on October 30, 1943, to John and Dorothy (Gordon) Oliver.  His family moved to Albany, Georgia, where he attended Albany High School, graduating in 1961.  Following graduation he accepted a commission to the US Merchant Marine Academy, and later spent four years in the U.S. Navy, serving two tours during the Vietnam War. 

He earned his Ph.D. from Georgia State University in 1980 following a ten-year career as a banker with C&S Bank from 1967 to 1977.  He taught at various institutions including Georgia College in Milledgeville, Georgia, Austin Peay University in Clarksville, Tennessee, and Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia.  He retired from Valdosta State University in 2004 and was awarded the title Professor Emeritus of Management.  Following retirement he moved to Cape San Blas, Florida, where he was an active member of the turtle patrol and served as president of the Friends of St Joseph Bay Preserve until his return to Valdosta in 2014.

John is survived by his four children, Carrie (John) Chittom of Bishop, Georgia; Connie (AJ) Tallman of Braselton, Georgia; Cathy Shepan, of Montgomery, Alabama; and John (Takako) Oliver, III, of Hubert, North Carolina; companion of 25 years, Sarah Bartholomew; ten grandchildren; brother, Tommy Oliver of Macon, Georgia; and his sister, Pam (Bryant) Hanks of Carrabelle, Florida;

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Friends of the St Joseph Bay Preserve, 3915 State Road 30-A, Port St Joe, FL 32456.

Memorial Park South Funeral Home, 4121 Falcon Parkway, Flowery Branch, Georgia  30542 is in charge of arrangements.  Send on-line condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com